Foldable soccer goal

ABSTRACT

A foldable soccer goal includes two arched frames. One frame is placed horizontally, and the other frame is placed vertically. Two ends of the frames are connected through support units, respectively. Each frame includes at least two connecting rods connected in sequence. Every adjacent two of the connecting rods are connected through a connecting unit. The connecting unit includes a pivot member and two coupling members hinged to two ends of the pivot member, respectively. The structure is simple and the storage is convenient.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a soccer goal, and more particularly to a foldable soccer goal.

2. Description of the Prior Art

The origin of the soccer game is traced back to the ancient Chinese ball game “cuju”, which was later spread from China to Europe by the Arabs and gradually evolved into modem soccer.

The football game is one of the most influential events in the global sports world, and it is deeply loved by young people. However, playing the soccer game requires a proper field and a soccer goal. Most of conventional soccer goals are made of metal or wood. The frame of the conventional soccer goal is placed on the ground, and the frame of the soccer goal is provided with a net to form a soccer goal. The conventional soccer goal is difficult to move and inconvenient to store. When there is no professional field for the players, a moveable goal is needed. The conventional movable goal still has many defects. For example, some goals are just a simple assembly of rods and a net, which is troublesome to assemble. Some goals are inconvenient to carry. Some goals still take up a lot of space after being folded.

Therefore, it is necessary to find a new technical solution to solve the above-mentioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the deficiencies of the prior art, the primary object of the present invention is to provide a foldable soccer goal. The foldable soccer goal has a simple structure, can be produced easily, can be unfolded and folded with ease, occupies less space after being folded, and is convenient for storage and carrying.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

A foldable soccer goal comprises two arched frames. One frame is placed horizontally, and the other frame is placed vertically. Two ends of the frames are connected through support units, respectively.

Each frame includes at least two connecting rods connected in sequence. Every adjacent two of the connecting rods are connected through a connecting unit. The connecting unit includes a pivot member and two coupling members hinged to two ends of the pivot member, respectively. The pivot member has an accommodating space therein. The accommodating space has an outer side opening and two end openings. The outer side opening is arranged along an arched outer side of the frame. The end openings are disposed at the two ends of the pivot member, respectively. The two end openings communicate with the outer side opening to form a U-shaped opening. The pivot member has a limiting portion along an inner arched side of the frame. A first end of each coupling member is hingedly connected in the accommodating space. A second end of the coupling member is connected to a corresponding one of the connecting rods.

When the foldable soccer goal is to be unfolded, each coupling member is rotated toward the limiting portion until it is limited by the limiting portion, and the second end of the coupling member extends out from the corresponding end opening, and each connecting rod is bent and deformed to be in an arc shape toward the arched outer side of the frame.

When the foldable soccer goal is to be folded, each coupling member is rotated away from the limiting portion, and the second end of the coupling member extends out from the outer side opening, and each connecting rod is restored to become straight.

Compared with the prior art, the present invention has obvious advantages and beneficial effects. Specifically, it can be seen from the above technical solutions that the connecting unit of the foldable soccer goal adopts a movable pivotal mode. The coupling members are limited by the pivot member. The coupling members can be pivoted left/right relative to the pivot member, thereby realizing a foldable frame. It is convenient to fold and unfold the soccer goal. Especially, the frame is arched. In an unfolded state, each connecting rod is arched toward the arched outer side of the frame. One end of the coupling member at either end of the connecting rod tends to be outward under the action of the elasticity of the connecting rod, and the other end of the coupling member tends to be inward and limited by the limiting portion, thereby keeping the connecting rod in an arc-shaped unfolded state. The expansion tension is good, which is conducive to the stability of the frame and the overall soccer goal to be unfolded.

Secondly, the support unit of the foldable soccer goal also adopts a movable pivotal mode, so that the frames of the foldable soccer goal can be folded. The foldable soccer goal has a simple structure, can be produced easily, can be unfolded and folded with ease, occupies less space after being folded, and is convenient for storage and carrying.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view according to an embodiment of the present invention (in an unfolded state);

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view according to the embodiment of the present invention (in an unfolded state);

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view according to the embodiment of the present invention (in an unfolded state);

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the connecting unit according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the connecting unit according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is another exploded view of the connecting unit according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the connecting unit according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the support unit according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the support unit according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a side view according to the embodiment of the present invention (in an unfolded state); and

FIG. 11 is a perspective view according to the embodiment of the present invention (in a folded state).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1 through FIG. 8 , the present invention discloses a foldable soccer goal, comprising two arched frames. One frame is placed horizontally, and the other frame is placed vertically. Two ends of the frames are connected through support units 30, respectively. Preferably, a ball net is provided between the two frames.

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are perspective views of the foldable soccer goal in an unfolded state. The frame includes at least two connecting rods 10 connected in sequence. Every adjacent two of the connecting rods 10 are connected through a connecting unit 20. In this embodiment, the frame includes three connecting rods 10. The connecting rods 10 are connected by connecting units 20. In this embodiment, the frame is an arc structure.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the foldable soccer goal in an unfolded state. When the foldable soccer goal is to be unfolded, the coupling member 22 is rotated toward the limiting portion until it is limited by the limiting portion, and a second end of the coupling member 22 extends out from the corresponding end opening. Each connecting rod 10 is bent and deformed to be in an arc shape toward the arched outer side of the frame.

FIGS. 4-6 illustrate the connecting unit 2 of the foldable soccer goal. The connecting unit 20 includes a pivot member 21 and two coupling members 22 hinged to two ends of the pivot member 21, respectively. The pivot member 21 has an accommodating space 211 therein. The accommodating space 221 has an outer side opening A and two end openings B. The outer side opening A is disposed along the arched outer side E of the frame. The end openings B are disposed at the two ends of the pivot member 21, respectively. The two end openings B communicate with the outer side opening A to form a U-shaped opening. A partition C is provided inside the accommodating space 221 to partition the accommodating space 221 into a left accommodating space and a right accommodating space. A first end of the coupling member 22 is hingedly connected in the corresponding left accommodating space or right accommodating space.

The first end of the coupling member 22 is hingedly connected in the accommodating space 211. A second end of the coupling member 22 is connected to a corresponding one of the connecting rods 10. The upper end and the lower end of the pivot member 21 are formed with a first pivot hole 213, and the coupling member 22 is formed with a second pivot hole 221. A pivot 214 is provided in the first pivot hole 213 and the second pivot hole 221, so that the coupling member 22 is movably connected in the pivot member 21 to be pivoted left/right.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the connecting unit of the foldable soccer goal. The pivot member 21 has a limiting portion disposed along the arched inner side F of the frame. The limiting portion is a limiting protrusion 212. The coupling member 22 has an arc-shaped convex edge 222 along the arched inner side F of frame. When the coupling member 22 is unfolded to the maximum extent in the pivot member 21 (that is, when the foldable soccer goal is in the unfolded state), the convex edge 222 of the coupling member 22 is pressed against the limiting protrusion 212 of the pivot member 21, so that the coupling member 22 is stably secured to the pivot member 21, and the coupling member 22 is limited and positioned by the limiting protrusion 212 of the pivot member 21. In addition, the coupling member 22 is a tubular structure. The second end of the coupling member 22 is formed with a connecting hole 223 for insertion of the corresponding connecting rod 10, so that the connecting rod 10 is connected to the coupling member 22. The coupling member 22 is movably connected to the pivot member 21, and further the connecting rod 10 is movably connected to the pivot member 21. Preferably, hot melt glue is provided in the connecting hole 223 for the connecting rod 10 to be connected to the coupling member 22.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the support unit of the foldable soccer goal. FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the support unit of the foldable soccer goal. The support unit 30 includes a connecting plate, a first support tube 33, and a second support tube 34. The connecting plate, the first support tube 33 and the second support tube 34 form a triangular configuration to achieve structural stability.

The connecting plate includes a first connecting plate 31 and a second connecting plate 32. One end of the first connecting plate 31 is hingedly connected to a first end of the first support tube 33. The other end of the first connecting plate 31 is hingedly connected to one end of the second connecting plate 32. A second end of the first support tube 33 is hingedly connected to a first end of the second support tube 34 in a damping manner. The other end of the second connecting plate 32 is hingedly connected to a second end of the second support tube 34. The first connecting plate 31 and the second connecting plate 32 are connected by a pivot 214, so that the first connecting plate 31 and the second connecting plate 32 are rotatably connected.

FIG. 10 is a side view of the foldable soccer goal in an unfolded state. When the foldable soccer goal is in the unfolded state, the first connecting plate 31 and the second connecting plate 32 are arranged on the same straight line, the first support tube 33 is placed horizontally, and the second support tube 34 is placed vertically. At this time, the first connecting plate 31, the second connecting plate 32, the first support tube 33 and the second support tube 34 are in a triangular configuration, so that the structure of the foldable soccer goal in the unfolded state is stable.

In addition, an arch bridge structure D is provided on the first support tube 33 to form a through hole 331. A pull cord 40 is connected in the through hole 331. The first support tube 33 is recessed to form an arc-shaped first limiting recess 332. The first connecting plate 31 is connected to the first support tube 33 through a pivot 214, and the first connecting plate 31 is limited by the first limiting recess 332. The end of the first support tube 33 is a circular configuration, and the second end of the first support tube 33 is formed with a circular engaging slot 333. Furthermore, the second support tube 34 is vertically connected to the second end of the first support tube 33. The first end of the second support tube 34 is provided with a circular engaging block 341. The engaging block 341 is inserted in the engaging slot 333. The engaging block 341 and the engaging slot 333 are rotatably connected by a screw and a nut, so that the engaging block 341 is confined in the engaging slot 333. The engaging block 341 is rotatably connected in the engaging slot 333 to be pivoted upward and downward. The circular engaging block 341 is recessed with a stop step 342. When the engaging block 341 is rotated to the maximum angle in the engaging slot 333, the stop step 342 is configured to limit and position the engaging slot 333, so as to ensure that the engaging block 341 is rotated to the maximum angle. That is, when the foldable soccer goal is in the unfolded state, the structure of the foldable soccer goal is stable. In this embodiment, the first support tube 33 and the second support tube 34 are arranged at a right angle. The second support tube 34 is recessed to form an arc-shaped second limiting recess 343. The second connecting plate 32 is connected to the second support tube 34 through a pivot 214, and the second connecting plate 32 is limited by the second limiting recess 343.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the foldable soccer goal in a folded state. When the foldable soccer goal is to be folded, the coupling member 22 is rotated away from the limiting portion, the second end of the coupling member 22 extends out from the outer side opening A, and each connecting rod 10 is restored to become straight. When the foldable soccer goal is to be folded, the pull cord 40 connected to the through hole 331 of the first support tube 33 is removed. The coupling members 22 at both ends of the connecting unit 20 are rotated left/right to fold the connecting rods 10 for storage. The engaging block 341 of the support unit 30 is rotated relative to the engaging slot 333, and the connecting plates are rotated accordingly to realize the folding of the connecting rods 10 connected to the support unit 30. It can be seen that the foldable soccer goal in the folded state occupies a small space, realizes the foldable function, and is convenient to store and carry. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A foldable soccer goal, comprising two arched frames, one frame being placed horizontally, the other frame being placed vertically, two ends of the frames being connected through support units, respectively; each frame including at least two connecting rods connected in sequence, every adjacent two of the connecting rods being connected through a connecting unit; the connecting unit including a pivot member and two coupling members hinged to two ends of the pivot member, respectively; the pivot member having an accommodating space therein, the accommodating space having an outer side opening and two end openings, the outer side opening being arranged along an arched outer side of the frame, the end openings being disposed at the two ends of the pivot member respectively, the two end openings communicating with the outer side opening to form a U-shaped opening; the pivot member having a limiting portion along an arched inner side of the frame; a first end of each coupling member being hingedly connected in the accommodating space, a second end of the coupling member being connected to a corresponding one of the connecting rods; wherein when the foldable soccer goal is to be unfolded, each coupling member is rotated toward the limiting portion until it is limited by the limiting portion, the second end of the coupling member extends out from the corresponding end opening; each connecting rod is bent and deformed to be in an arc shape toward the arched outer side of the frame; wherein when the foldable soccer goal is to be folded, each coupling member is rotated away from the limiting portion, the second end of the coupling member extends out from the outer side opening, each connecting rod is restored to become straight.
 2. The foldable soccer goal as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second end of the coupling member is formed with a connecting hole for insertion of the corresponding connecting rod.
 3. The foldable soccer goal as claimed in claim 1, wherein a ball net is provided between the two frames.
 4. The foldable soccer goal as claimed in claim 1, wherein the two ends of the pivot member are each formed with a first pivot hole, each coupling member is formed with a second pivot hole, and a pivot is provided in the first pivot hole and the second pivot hole.
 5. The foldable soccer goal as claimed in claim 1, wherein the limiting portion is a limiting protrusion, each coupling member has an arc-shaped convex edge along the arched inner side of the frame, when the foldable soccer goal is unfolded, and the convex edge of each coupling member is pressed against the limiting protrusion of the pivot member to achieve positioning.
 6. The foldable soccer goal as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support unit includes a connecting plate, a first support tube and a second support tube, the connecting plate, the first support tube and the second support tube form a triangular configuration; the connecting plate includes a first connecting plate and a second connecting plate, one end of the first connecting plate is hingedly connected to a first end of the first support tube, another end of the first connecting plate is hingedly connected to one end of the second connecting plate; a second end of the first support tube is hingedly connected to a first end of the second support tube in a damping manner, and another end of the second connecting plate is hingedly connected to a second end of the second support tube.
 7. The foldable soccer goal as claimed in claim 6, wherein an arch bridge structure is provided on the first support tube to form a through hole, and a pull cord is connected in the through hole.
 8. The foldable soccer goal as claimed in claim 6, wherein the first support tube is recessed to form an arc-shaped first limiting recess, the first connecting plate is limited by the first limiting recess; the second end of the first support tube is formed with an engaging slot; the first end of the second support tube is provided with an engaging block, and the engaging block is rotatably connected in the engaging slot to be pivoted upward and downward.
 9. The foldable soccer goal as claimed in claim 6, wherein the second support tube is recessed to form an arc-shaped second limiting recess; and the second connecting plate is limited by the second limiting recess.
 10. The foldable soccer goal as claimed in claim 1, wherein a partition is provided inside the accommodating space to partition the accommodating space into a left accommodating space and a right accommodating space, the first end of each coupling member is hingedly connected in the corresponding left accommodating space or right accommodating space. 